We heard reports that Google was working on a new set-top box, but when the Chromecast was announced, the early assumption was that this was the device. Apparently there is another device in the pipeline, but unfortunately we don’t know if it will ever come out. It was actually referred to as an “over-the-top” set-top box a couple of months ago. The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that Google actually showed the prototype in private back at CES 2013.

It was powered by Android and demoed by Andy Rubin. It even had a video camera and motion sensor for Hangouts. The original plan was to launch this device at Google I/O, but obviously that didn’t happen. Did Google scrap plans for the device in favor of the Chromecast or is there room for the two devices. As expected Google didn’t make a comment on this topic, but one thing they did say was that Google TV isn’t dead. In fact, the plan is to bring the Chromecast feature to Google TVs soon.

The Chromecast seems like an amazing device, but to me it’s not the holy grail. It doesn’t have local media streaming and it doesn’t have HDMI pass through like Google TV boxes. However, at $35 it is a very compelling product for most people. I still think Google is going to come out with yet another product that has more features to satisfy the power hungry users.

After Google dropped their Chromecast announcement yesterday, it would be easy to call it the nail in Google TV’s coffin. However, Google doesn’t seem to think so. Sundar Pichai told CNET that Google TV was absolutely going to grow and evolve alongside Chromecast, and neither device would be replacing the other. Considering Google has pledged to update Google TV to Jelly Bean later this year, it makes sense, but with Chromecast preorders sold out within hours, it’s easy to see how much damage Chromecast could potentially do to Google TV’s success.

Pichai also said that Google TV would be getting some newer partners and software updates later in the year, which would go a long way towards helping its popularity. Still, though, it hasn’t had much early success, and it is still possible for Google TV to go the way of Google Reader. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

According to a recent report, Google is working on offering a traditional TV programming service that would be delivered over the Internet in competition against typical cable or satellite TV providers. For several years now, companies have been working to add a variety of Internet services to their TV hardware leading to things like Netflix coming preloaded on Blu-Ray players or directly on televisions. Google would turn this model on its head though, taking the hardware people typically use for Internet services and offering TV programming on it. Read more

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google is working on a videogame console, a smartwatch and a followup to the Nexus Q. None of this is surprising as we have heard tidbits about all three. The big question is when we will actually get to see these devices? According to WSJ, one of them will be launched this fall. The gaming console is probably the most intriguing and one has to wonder why Google would get into this game? One big reason might be that Apple is rumored to be doing the same thing as part of its next Apple TV release. The Nexus Q followup is clearly a TV box of some kind and will most likely be the next generation Google TV that everyone is waiting for.

We heard reports of Android-powered laptops back in April, and WSJ confirmed that HP is working on them with the next version of Android. Speaking of the next version of Android, it is known internally as “K release”, or shall we say Key Lime Pie? As we reported earlier, it might be compatible with lower end devices as in ones with as little as 512MB of RAM.

Sony announced a new addition to their line of Google TV devices, the NSZ-GS8 Internet Player. The device is the successor to last year’s NSZ-GS7. The big change for this year is the addition of voice search capabilities to the device. This is achieved just by speaking into the remote control and the unit will take things from there, displaying TV listings or search results if you happen to be surfing the web using the Google Chrome browser that comes on the unit.

Sony indicates sharing photos and videos from Android powered smartphones and tablets will be done seamlessly and wirelessly. Sony even makes sure those individuals stuck using an iOS powered device can use their Google TV device for viewing photos and videos through the Airtight app, which brings Airplay type functionality to the NSZ-GS8.

According to Sony, this new model will be available in Sony stores and other retailers starting in early July for $199. You can visit the Sony Store online to setup a notification for when the device is available for order. You may also notice the NSZ-GS7 has been placed on sale for $169.

In March of this year, streaming service Redbox Instant was launched in a partnership with Verizon to rival Netflix. Starting today, Redbox Instant is supported for Google TV. The app offers a full Redbox Instant experience, including movie streaming and the ability to rent and purchase movies through Google TV. You can even reserve movies at your local Redbox kiosk through the app.

However, at this point, there’s only support for second generation Google TV devices. If you have a compatible device, go try out RedBox Instant by downloading through the Google Play Store. There’s a one month free trial if you sign up now.

We know that Google is going to introduce a new TV set-top box of some sort, and we are hoping that it will get released by the end of the year. It looks like that may happen since a new media player just passed the FCC. Unfortunately we don’t have too many details at this point, but the device is called the Google H840 and it “functions as a media player”. It also supports WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. The name of the device is obviously a codename, but the model number is H2G2-42. No pictures were filed, so this is all we have to go on.

I know a lot of people have been holding out on buying a Google TV box with the hopes that Google will introduce something soon. Sounds like everyone’s prayers are about to be answered. Lets just hope it’s not another bust like the Nexus Q.

Google TV has always been shunned a little more than other Google products, despite running Android. Well, if you were an early adopter of Google TV, there’s good news. According to Google, Google TV is being moved to Android 4.2.2, and Google TV is being reworked to allow OEM partners to quickly update their devices. The time frame will supposedly be cut from “months” down to “weeks.” Google TV will also be moved to the latest version of Chrome, as well as Chrome’s rather speedy six-week release cycle. Good news for owners, as this means your devices won’t be obsoleted quickly.

Google also said in their Google+ post that older devices should begin receiving updates soon, and we can expect to see new devices later this year. Nexus Q 2.0, anyone?

One annoyance of Google TV has always been the lack of video streaming apps for the platform. PlayOn has arrived for Google TV to help, allowing users to stream Hulu, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, and more than 50 other channels to the set-top box.

For a long time PlayOn has offered a way to stream content from your computer to devices that didn’t support it, including Netflix before it was officially available for Android. PlayOn streams video content though a home network, so a server application needs to be installed on your PC in addition to the PlayOn app on the device being streamed to.

Normally, PlayOn costs $25 per year or $50 for a lifetime license, but for a limited time, PlayOn is free for Google TV, so go and get it now. More information on PlayOn and the official press release can be found after the break. Read more

It was introduced at CES as the ASUS Qube, but it will officially be spelled as the Cube. I found it interesting that they spelled it with a “Q” in the first place, and I suspect there was too much confusion with the Nexus Q, hence the change. Last week it was reported that it would be available on April 23rd, which was darn close as it looks like it will be April 24.

How do we know? Newegg has the Cube on their site with that release date, and it’s available for pre-order now. Pricing is a little higher than what we were told as well. The plan was for $129, but now it’s $139. However, Newegg is offering a $10 promotional gift card, but only for people who order by April 23. This pricing is very surprising when you consider that most of the competition is around $99, and ASUS has a strong history of pricing their Android devices competitively.

I didn’t get to spend too much time with the Cube, but I didn’t see anything that it offered more than other Google TV devices except for the unique cube-like user interface. Priced at $139, does the Cube have a chance of helping bring Google TV to the forefront? Check out our hands on video, and/or hit the break for Neweggs’s 21 minute demo video.